Chicago Bears

The expectations were high last year, then the entire roster simultaneously experienced what seemed like a career ending injury (i think Knox is still on life support). So what did this team, who was 7-3 at one point playing the best football we've seen in Chicago since they won the NFC in 2006, do? They acquired pro-bowl wide out Brandon Marshall. They drafted Shea McClellin and Alshon Jeffery, who have impressed scouts during training camp. They replaced Marion Barber with Michael Bush. In simpler words, they got better. Much better.It is not Super Bowl or bust for the Chicago Bears. Question is, do defenses really win championships? Or, currently living in Wisconsin, should I say, can they beat the Packers?

Quarterback: Chicago is still excited over the first franchise QB they have had in too many years to count. The trainer remains this mans only enemy. If he can stay healthy for the whole season, Chicago will have a legitimate chance to win every single game on their schedule, including the possible post season. If he can't, they may not crash and burn like they did under poor Caleb Hanie last season, with the signing of Jason Campbell, who many have called a starting QB in a temporary role.

Running Back: It is going to be the same story with Matt Forte that I just spelled out with Jay Cutler. Health. If he can stay healthy as well, Chicago will also have a legitimate chance to win every game. He is not just one of the best backs in the league either, but also one of the best receivers. This guy is a workhorse, and will constantly put up large fantasy numbers each week as well. And once again, Bears personnel have learned from last years free fall out of the post season and signed former Raiders' back Michael Bush, another more than capable starter playing in a 3rd down role.

Wide Receiver/Tight End: Since the acquisition of Jay Cutler, Chicago's primary concern transitioned to who he would be throwing to. They have not had a big play down field threat, statistically at least, since Marty Booker. But now, they add two new, huge names to the list of targets in Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery. Marshall is going to be a huge name at Soldier Field, with the expectations to match. The Bears have been known for their short leash with misbehaved players off the field, so that will be essential for Marshall to remain in good graces with the front office. They still have Devin Hester, who can now focus on returning kicks, at least when other teams have the balls to kick in his general direction. They still have Earl Bennett, who Cutty likes for his Commodore roots. As for tight end, the names are a little less glamorous than in recent years, but Kellen Davis can get the job done when called upon.

Offensive Line: For years the Bears have searched for a franchise QB, and they now have one. For years they searched for a consistent, reliable 1000 yard rusher, and they now have one. For years, they have searched for a big time playmaking receiver, and they now have one. For years they have searched for a consistent, halfway decent o-line that can at least give Cutler enough time to stand up straight before having to get rid of the ball, and they are still working on that. The injury bug hit last years round 1 draft choice in Wisconsin's Gabe Carimi, who hopes to be back in a starting role this year. Chris Williams never panned out to be the top choice they hoped he'd be, nor did Chris Spencer as the big name free agent to replace Olin Kruetz. It would be unfair to say J'Marcus Webb has been inconsistent, because he has consistently under produced for quite some time. Roberto Garza has been the lone bright spot for the Monster's of the Midway's front line, but age is starting to catch up to the Spanish Madden cover boy. Only time will tell if this line has improved, which I believe it has, but it is not yet to where it needs to be to bring home a ring to the Windy City.

Chicago has prided itself on defense in recent history, as the D has essentially led the Bears to a Super Bowl and 13-3 record in 01 all on its own. Don't believe me? Please tell me how Rex Grossman is the best QB in the NFC.

Defensive Line: Julius Peppers is still here. He's still healthy, and although his age is not taking him in the right direction, he is still in his prime as one of the best defenders in the league. He will be the key playing in the same division as Aaron Rodgers and Matt Stafford, putting pressure on those QBs and forcing them to either get rid of the ball too quickly or eat turf. The rest of the line, well there are some questions there. A lot of them will be answered as we watch the development of Shea McClellin on the opposing side of Pep. If Peppers can flush a QB out of the pocket one way, and Shea step up and push him back in, no QB will be safe dropping away from the Center this fall. In the meantime, until that happens or doesnt work out, Isreal Idonije is more than capable of holding his own and knocking down a few running backs. The biggest concern of the defensive line will be to see if Henry Melton and Stephen Paea can complete the 4 headed monster on the other side of the ball.

Linebackers: Lance Briggs and Brian Urlacher. The duo who could give opposing offenders the chills just by hearing their name. Well, a hop skip and a jump later, Urlacher is no longer the player he once was. The problem with that is not being able to produce, Urlacher remains one of the biggest, strongest, fastest, and overall best linebackers in the NFL. The problem is whether or not he can stay on the field. Out of all of last years injuries, with the exception of Knox, Urlacher is the one who continues to have problems going into this season and is not 100% as we head into the end of preseason. Geno Hayes is a more than capable backup who can easily help the Bears defeat teams like the lowly Indianapolis Colts, who they will see week 1, but Urlacher's experiance, poise, and grind are what you want on the field when the Bears travel to rival Green Bay 4 days later. Nick Roach will oppose Lance Briggs on the outside, who will likely not be going to Hawai'i anytime soon, but still is a guy nobody wants to run into full speed.

Secondary: Here is something you are going to be shocked to hear after reading all this: they are banged up. Chris Conte and Major Wright were both wincing in pain this offseason, Conte with a separated shoulder that will sideline him for a few weeks. Conte and Wright are both terrific athletes who could start on a majority of NFL rosters, but this is the same division that is home to duos such as Rodgers-Jennings and Stafford-Johnson. When Aaron Rodgers is looking down the field, he is not afraid of Chris Conte and Major Wright, which brings me back to my earlier point of the importance of putting pressure on the QB. Tim Jennings and longtime Bear Charles Tillman complete the DB's, and should be able to at least contain those big name Wide Receivers in the regular season. Yea, I said regular season and stopped there for a reason.

Special Teams: The Bears have had some bad luck with injuries lately, included pro bowl punter Adam Podlesh. If our starting punter is out biggest worry in a few weeks, I can definitely live with that. With a healthy Podlesh, the Bears may have the best special teams in the league with Robbie Gould kicking field goals and Devin Hester breaking records returning kicks. Good field position and a few cheap points should be the least of Chicago's worries this season.

The expectations were high last year, then the entire roster simultaneously experienced what seemed like a career ending injury (i think Knox is still on life support). So what did this team, who was 7-3 at one point playing the best football we've seen in Chicago since they won the NFC in 2006, do? They acquired pro-bowl wide out Brandon Marshall. They drafted Shea McClellin and Alshon Jeffery, who have impressed scouts during training camp. They replaced Marion Barber with Michael Bush. In simpler words, they got better. Much better.It is not Super Bowl or bust for the Chicago Bears. Question is, do defenses really win championships? Or, currently living in Wisconsin, should I say, can they beat the Packers?

Quarterback: Chicago is still excited over the first franchise QB they have had in too many years to count. The trainer remains this mans only enemy. If he can stay healthy for the whole season, Chicago will have a legitimate chance to win every single game on their schedule, including the possible post season. If he can't, they may not crash and burn like they did under poor Caleb Hanie last season, with the signing of Jason Campbell, who many have called a starting QB in a temporary role.

Running Back: It is going to be the same story with Matt Forte that I just spelled out with Jay Cutler. Health. If he can stay healthy as well, Chicago will also have a legitimate chance to win every game. He is not just one of the best backs in the league either, but also one of the best receivers. This guy is a workhorse, and will constantly put up large fantasy numbers each week as well. And once again, Bears personnel have learned from last years free fall out of the post season and signed former Raiders' back Michael Bush, another more than capable starter playing in a 3rd down role.

Wide Receiver/Tight End: Since the acquisition of Jay Cutler, Chicago's primary concern transitioned to who he would be throwing to. They have not had a big play down field threat, statistically at least, since Marty Booker. But now, they add two new, huge names to the list of targets in Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery. Marshall is going to be a huge name at Soldier Field, with the expectations to match. The Bears have been known for their short leash with misbehaved players off the field, so that will be essential for Marshall to remain in good graces with the front office. They still have Devin Hester, who can now focus on returning kicks, at least when other teams have the balls to kick in his general direction. They still have Earl Bennett, who Cutty likes for his Commodore roots. As for tight end, the names are a little less glamorous than in recent years, but Kellen Davis can get the job done when called upon.

Offensive Line: For years the Bears have searched for a franchise QB, and they now have one. For years they searched for a consistent, reliable 1000 yard rusher, and they now have one. For years, they have searched for a big time playmaking receiver, and they now have one. For years they have searched for a consistent, halfway decent o-line that can at least give Cutler enough time to stand up straight before having to get rid of the ball, and they are still working on that. The injury bug hit last years round 1 draft choice in Wisconsin's Gabe Carimi, who hopes to be back in a starting role this year. Chris Williams never panned out to be the top choice they hoped he'd be, nor did Chris Spencer as the big name free agent to replace Olin Kruetz. It would be unfair to say J'Marcus Webb has been inconsistent, because he has consistently under produced for quite some time. Roberto Garza has been the lone bright spot for the Monster's of the Midway's front line, but age is starting to catch up to the Spanish Madden cover boy. Only time will tell if this line has improved, which I believe it has, but it is not yet to where it needs to be to bring home a ring to the Windy City.

I like what you said and do agree, but my only thing was when you said health for Matt Forte. In his career he has missed only 4 games. What games were those? The games last year. I honestly believe health is something you don't need to worry about with Matt Forte in the backfield.

The expectations were high last year, then the entire roster simultaneously experienced what seemed like a career ending injury (i think Knox is still on life support). So what did this team, who was 7-3 at one point playing the best football we've seen in Chicago since they won the NFC in 2006, do? They acquired pro-bowl wide out Brandon Marshall. They drafted Shea McClellin and Alshon Jeffery, who have impressed scouts during training camp. They replaced Marion Barber with Michael Bush. In simpler words, they got better. Much better.It is not Super Bowl or bust for the Chicago Bears. Question is, do defenses really win championships? Or, currently living in Wisconsin, should I say, can they beat the Packers?

Quarterback: Chicago is still excited over the first franchise QB they have had in too many years to count. The trainer remains this mans only enemy. If he can stay healthy for the whole season, Chicago will have a legitimate chance to win every single game on their schedule, including the possible post season. If he can't, they may not crash and burn like they did under poor Caleb Hanie last season, with the signing of Jason Campbell, who many have called a starting QB in a temporary role.

Running Back: It is going to be the same story with Matt Forte that I just spelled out with Jay Cutler. Health. If he can stay healthy as well, Chicago will also have a legitimate chance to win every game. He is not just one of the best backs in the league either, but also one of the best receivers. This guy is a workhorse, and will constantly put up large fantasy numbers each week as well. And once again, Bears personnel have learned from last years free fall out of the post season and signed former Raiders' back Michael Bush, another more than capable starter playing in a 3rd down role.

Wide Receiver/Tight End: Since the acquisition of Jay Cutler, Chicago's primary concern transitioned to who he would be throwing to. They have not had a big play down field threat, statistically at least, since Marty Booker. But now, they add two new, huge names to the list of targets in Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery. Marshall is going to be a huge name at Soldier Field, with the expectations to match. The Bears have been known for their short leash with misbehaved players off the field, so that will be essential for Marshall to remain in good graces with the front office. They still have Devin Hester, who can now focus on returning kicks, at least when other teams have the balls to kick in his general direction. They still have Earl Bennett, who Cutty likes for his Commodore roots. As for tight end, the names are a little less glamorous than in recent years, but Kellen Davis can get the job done when called upon.

Offensive Line: For years the Bears have searched for a franchise QB, and they now have one. For years they searched for a consistent, reliable 1000 yard rusher, and they now have one. For years, they have searched for a big time playmaking receiver, and they now have one. For years they have searched for a consistent, halfway decent o-line that can at least give Cutler enough time to stand up straight before having to get rid of the ball, and they are still working on that. The injury bug hit last years round 1 draft choice in Wisconsin's Gabe Carimi, who hopes to be back in a starting role this year. Chris Williams never panned out to be the top choice they hoped he'd be, nor did Chris Spencer as the big name free agent to replace Olin Kruetz. It would be unfair to say J'Marcus Webb has been inconsistent, because he has consistently under produced for quite some time. Roberto Garza has been the lone bright spot for the Monster's of the Midway's front line, but age is starting to catch up to the Spanish Madden cover boy. Only time will tell if this line has improved, which I believe it has, but it is not yet to where it needs to be to bring home a ring to the Windy City.

I like what you said and do agree, but my only thing was when you said health for Matt Forte. In his career he has missed only 4 games. What games were those? The games last year. I honestly believe health is something you don't need to worry about with Matt Forte in the backfield.

What i meant by that is he is coming off a season ending injury. I think he will be fine too, but you can't ignore that fact